After her phone call with Lolu who had not helped but worsened her mood and problem, Lola sat on the bed in her hotel room and moped over her problems. No one was ready to help or listen to her or understand why she had to run away. Everyone was angry because she had not informed them she was leaving the country. "You could have told me" Was what they said. Her friends, Kiki, Osas and Adeola had said the same thing and were livid at her which just struck her anger too. She could not get Haseenah. Haseenah's number was unreachable. She had not heard from the lady in months now. It's either her number was not reachable or it was switched off. The worse was her mother had beaten her.

Tears welled in Lola's eyes as anger rose in her blood. She was way too old for such beating and that old witch called a grandmother had been pleased with everything. A tear rolled down her face. She did not want to cry again but her emotions were taking the best of her. She needed somebody to understand her. She hated the admonishment she got from everyone. Her phone started to ring and she picked it up after taking a look at its bright screen.

"Aunty Dammy" She sniffled into the phone, wiping away a tear that slipped past her tear gland.

"Lola dear" The soft voice called. "What's wrong? Sarah called me and told me what happened. Are you alright?" The gentleness in her Aunt's voice had her breaking down. No one had spoken to her that way since she arrived.

"Aunt" She sobbed out, warm liquid rushing down her face. "No one is trying to understand me"

"Oh dear. Poor little thing. Where are you at the moment?"

"In a hotel on the Island"

"Will you come over? Or should I come there to meet you?"

"I will come over"

"I will be expecting you"

The traffic jam on the way had been the reason behind her delay to her aunt's house. Aunty Dammy had stepped out with Michelle by her side when Lola drove into the compound. Michelle had come to spend few days with their aunt. She was an event planner and there was a wedding coming up the following weekend. It was easier to meet the bride, a spoilt and extremely choosy bride who reminded Michelle a lot about her cousin, Lola. They might have both agreed on colour purple for one thing and the bride is calling few minutes after she had left that she wanted blue, a shade of blue Michelle was sure does not exist. The bride was her first client whom she knew formed colours on her own. "I want jealousy blue" she would say. When you ask her which colour was that, she would go on and on describing it. "It's lighter than powder blue but not as deep as turquoise blue".

"Hello cousin" Michelle threw her slender arms over Lola's neck. "How are you?"

"Managing" She grumbled.

"I am pissed at you" Michelle pulled away. "Why did you run away? We were all so worried. You could have told me. I will never....."

There was a quick rush of anger. Michelle was saying the same thing. Lola felt what she had been trying to hold in erupt. "Enough! Enough Michelle! Just stop it!" She shouted, her voice loud and laced with fury. "What's wrong with all of you?" She gnashed out, with an accused finger pointed at Michelle. "You could have told me. You could have told me. It's what you all tell me. Don't you understand? I wanted to be away. The whole marriage thing was choking me and I needed to get away. Running away was the best option I had in order to avoid getting married to that good for nothing. Will you all just put yourselves in my shoes and stopped been self-centred? I hate all this!" She screamed, then stormed into the house.

Michelle watched the entrance after Lola had walked in. She could not believe what had happened. What's wrong with the girl? She blinked her eyes, the look of disbelieve on her face. "God, what's wrong with her? Lola has finally lost it" Michelle hissed out, let out an "ugh" then went inside.

"Aralola" Aunty Dammy called tentatively. "Should I come in?" She had only her head in the dark room. The only light was the thin sheet of light that splattered in through the corridor.

Aunty Dammy had heard the scream, an angst-ridden scream full of anger then the crash. She knew what that had been and had been sacred.

"Lola?" She stepped in, looking for the switch. "Aralola?" The light came on.

Aunty Dammy saw the fragments of white crystal sprayed like tiny shells on the marble floor. Her eyes trailed the pieces until they fell on a pair of slender feet. Lola sat at the foot of the bed, her knees pulled up to her chest and head buried in her laps. Aunty Dammy could see the quiver in Lola's body in particular, the tremor in her fingers.

She called out for Michelle who she asked to get her a broom and dustpan. Michelle had entered the room and in utter shock had wanted to speak but Aunty Dammy laid a finger on her lips. After sweeping the broken glass, they left the room. Lola needed no one at the moment. Anyone's presence might only trigger the worse.

Aunty Dammy found her phone ringing when she entered her room. It laid on the bed, vibrating, the screen bright. She rushed towards it before it ended. A smile broadened on her face at the caller ID. Tanwa had been Aunty Dammy's friend for years. She had been her supporter, confider, and consoler. She stood by her in her hard times and is still doing the dame. Tanwa was the reason Aunty Dammy had not given up on trying to get pregnant.

"Dammy, I have just called to tell you that I have booked an appointment with that Pastor on the mainland" Tanwa said after they exchanged greetings.

"I told you not to worry, Tanwa" Aunty Dammy took her seat on the bed.

"I had to. You can't give up. There are women who give birth after their menopause and you are not yet in your menopause. It's the miracle of God"

"There is no need for us to go there. We have been to many places and all they did was swindle us" She threw a hand.

"I promise you, this man is not like others. I have a friend that can testify to that. His spiritual prayers has cured a lot of people and granted women the fruit of the womb. A cousin of a distant relative of mine who had not been able to walk for years since an accident had begun to walk because of this man's prayers. Doctors had said he had no chance of walking again and now, he uses his two legs perfectly"

Aunty Dammy closed her eyes. "Can we just forget it? I am not interested" Her voice was low and nearly emotionless because everything she had kept at the back of her mind the past few hours was surfacing again.

"Why? Ki lo de? Are you losing faith already?"

"Do you expect me to still have faith? It's been fifteen years! Fifteen years, Tanwa!" She laid emphasis on fifteen years because she was passing a message to her friend. "Don't you get it? Not for once did I get pregnant" The tears came before she could control them. "And look at Leke, he is everywhere in Lagos with that mistress of his. Do you know how it feels when coincidentally, I go to a party and his mistress is there with him" She was screaming now. "Do you know how it feels to walk into a place and have people look at you with pity because you are childless and your husband is about to have three children? My husband has given up on me getting pregnant. He has lost hope. He does not come home again!"

"Are you crying again?"

"What do you expect me to do?"

"Don't give up. You will still have your baby. One child is not too small. Dammy, we will walk the entire world if you have to bear a child. God is not wicked. He will put your enemies to shame"

"I am forty for God's sake!"

"You are not old yet. You are still going to have your baby. The God that has been doing it will never disappoint you. We shall not give up now" Tanwa's voice was gentle and consoling. The kind Aunty Dammy had craved for from her mother. Tanwa's arms had been home for her whenever she was troubled, whenever she needed a hug and comfort. Her mother's arms had been cold when she needed warmth. "We will go there together tomorrow. Dammy, are you still on the line? Dammy?" The line got disconnected.

Aunty Dammy laid on the bed, cried her heart out and spent the rest of the night, lonely and aggrieved.

-----

When dawn breaks, announcing the arrival of a new day, Osas hops out of bed with eagerness heaving in every part of her body. She saw each day like a Christmas gift and like a kid who cannot wait to know what's inside the gift, she could not wait to know what the day has to offer. Her phone conversations with Jafar become frequent. Every morning, every night, they tried not to miss one another's call like their favourite radio program.

Every day, there was something new to talk about. They grew closer. They journeyed beyond the normal relationship into something deeper they tried not to talk about. They touched a part of their lives they barely let people in. Every feeling was familiar and unfamiliar. Osas had wondered whether she had been too ignorant to notice them many years ago. Most times, she was with her phone, typing, zealous to answer his messages. There was always a knot in her stomach, contentment amidst confused feelings and emotions that she wondered if he feels the same.

Now, she was seated in her office, her phone to her ear, a tender smile on her face. Jafar's voice floated from the other end, deep and honeyed with its usual gentleness. She found herself relaxing to the comforting tone, relieving her of the heavy weight on her chest. She told him about her fight with Lola the day before. She told him how she had shouted at Lola for going away for five weeks without any communication. She said it was because she was worried to death. And she knew Lola to be the one whose anger does not fade easily. He told her she had to keep trying Lola's number even though Lola won't pick her calls. He told her she partly had her fault but Lola was not also faultless.

"It's more than ten years relationship. You won't want to ruin it over this little issue. I know women can be funny when it comes to pride. I have sisters and their fight is the worst thing to ever interfere into. Put your pride aside. Go and meet her. Be it in her office or at her house"

"She left home already. Her mother has been calling me to ask if she's with me"

He told her she should still meet her. Since Lola's back to Nigeria, she should go back to work.

"When will you get off from work?" He changed the topic unexpectedly.

It was as though those words stomped on an accelerator that had her heart sprinting faster. She knew why he asked. He wanted to hang out with her.

"It depends on my work load" She moved on her seat, suddenly clammy.

"Will you call me when you are done?"

"I might close late"

"I don't mind. I will come and meet you"

"The distance. You know how Lagos can be. The traffic can be terrible at night"

"I will still come and meet you. No distance, no matter how long it might be, will ever stop me from meeting you, Osas"

Maybe she was just been too hopeful or mushy or romantic. Why does she read a meaning to his words?

Her chest compressed a little, causing her to release shaky breath. "Jafar" She breathe out, her heart pounding heavily. The knot in her stomach tightened harder.

There was a pregnant silence on the other end before Jafar said. "I miss you" Increasing her heartbeat. Now, her heart was not beating to a low music tempo, instead, it drummed harder. "It's been a while since I saw you" His voice was low and tender.

"My car....I...."

"I will drop you off at home and pick you up tomorrow morning"

"I have to take Esosa to school"

"We will do that together. We will drop both Umar and Esosa at school"

"Jafar" She blew out his name as if she was tired. There was an underlining fear in her voice. She knew what he was doing. He was finding every means and eliminating every obstacle that will not allow him to see her tonight. She never knew him to be adamant. "Alright" She agreed. She heard him breathe out. She smiled. Was he scared?

"Just give me a call when you are done. I will pick you up. I want to see many places with you" His last sentence caused her eyebrows to come together. Why does that sound like a little confession of something she does not want to think about? "The wedding is on Saturday"

"I will be there. Do not worry. I will receive my clothes from the tailor tomorrow"

"So you will give me a call today?"

She chuckled. "I will"

"A promise"

"Jay" She laughed out. "A promise"

They wrapped up their conversation. Osas stared at her phone after she dropped his call, her smile unwavering. His message came in just immediately on whatsapp which she answered.

"Who is he?" She heard Lola's voice that had her jolting, dropping her phone on the table and scrambling to her feet.

"Aralola" She called out as if she could not believe Lola was there, in her office, standing at the entrance. She could not see her eyes because she wore dark glasses over them. Her tall frame was elegant as always but this time in a jade jumpsuit.

"He's really special to have you smiling at your phone" Lola started to walk into the room. There was something nonchalant about her move. "Who is he?"

"It's Jafar"

"The handsome Hausa dude"

"Yes. How are you?"

"Not fine as you can see" she sat down with a fluid movement, crossed her legs then removed her sunglasses.

"I am sorry"

"I will be lying if I say it's alright. You did something I least expected"

"I was pissed. You ran off without any word. I was worried to death. I thought maybe the worse might have happened to you"

"You should have understood better than anyone how I felt about the whole marriage thing. It was the best thing I could do. I needed it. I needed to be away" Lola's voice started to rise. "I thought you would understand but you were no different from everyone"

"You did wrong, Lola. Admit it!" Osas shouted back.

"I did what was right!"

"You could have messaged me. I will never have told anyone where you were. I was worried, very worried" Osas stepped closer to Lola. "Every morning and night, I called you, left a message for you on Whatsapp. Do you know how it feels to think maybe the worse had happened to you? Do you know how many sleepless nights you gave me? Stop being so self-centred and think about the wrong you have done. You did wrong! Quiet right, running away was the best option but what I am just trying to say is, you should have dropped a message about where you were to assure me you were alright"

"There's no need to shout at me!" Lola shrieked, rising to her feet. "Everything was choking and I just wanted to be away from it. I did not want the marriage and my grandparents are hell bent on sending me away with a man I know nothing about and feel nothing for. I still do not see nothing wrong in what I did!"

"You will not still admit your wrong doing"

"No!" Lola crossed her arms over her heaving chest with her nose in the air.

There was silence before Osas shouted "Alright! I have given up on you. Fine! Lola you are worse! I am sorry for shouting at you and making you feel bad. You know me better than anyone that I am not the kind to hold grudges. Now, give me a hug" Osas reached out for Lola. "But I will never stop telling you the truth. You did wrong"

After settling their differences, the friends sat in the comfort of Osas's office. Lola told her long-time friend about her elder brother's visit. Makinde had come to see her at Aunty Dammy's house. His visit had been unexpected and shocking. When she asked him how he found her, he told her she was bad at covering her trail and got ways of making everyone worry.

"Do you really think dad and grandpa do not know you are here?" He said with a cockiness he barely showed.

Lola's eyes had gone wide. "What?"

"Aralola, my baby sister" He teased coming to sit next to her. "They knew you went to Monaco then had a seven day river cruise and came home from Geiranger Fjord. They knew you are coming back from you vacation before you landed in Nigeria"

"Those old hags" Lola bit out through her teeth. Makinde had chuckled. "Why did they not have me dragged back to Nigeria?"

Makinde had told her he had no idea about that before going to the main reason for his visit. He wanted Lola to go back home. Everyone's worried especially their mother. Lola had snickered before answering with her voice laced with spite that she doubted if their mother wanted her home because if she did, she will not have welcomed her with beating. In a bratty tone, she had said her body still stings from the beating. Makinde tried to persuade her. He spoke to her in the gentlest voice, trying to coax her into going back home but his younger sister who was already on the search for a house of her own turned deaf ears to his pleads.

"I am sure by the end of today, my agent will get back to me" She said with her nose in the air and that stubborn mark in between her seductive round eyebrows.

"You have to know that whatever mummy did was out of her love for you. Lola, you were not here but the times I visited mummy when you were away, I will tell you she was beating herself for your disappearance. She barely ate. I had to beg her. Many of us had to before she agreed to eat. You did worse by not leaving a message. Mummy felt guilty. You know better than anyone mummy will never hit you without a reason. We both know before she hits you, you must have done something that's really bad. I know you are angry but I want you to know you left people who love you at home, fretting about you. Since you left, the mood of the house has worsened. Come back home. Not for anyone but for mummy. She loves you and want to see you"

There was silence before Lola said, looking down at her perfect nails. "But I don't want to get married now" in a strained voice

Makinde saw a vulnerable side of her she hid behind her stubborn guise. "You won't. I assure you. No one will pester you about getting married again" He hugged her.